MauiMovingSource.org - Cost of Living

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Maui is a very expensive place to live. A couple of years ago a study suggested Maui is 30% more expensive than San Francisco. And that was before the rents and real estate went bonkers. If you are a wealthy person you'll be fine. If you are a working class person please understand that most jobs on Maui do not come close to meeting the needs of the high cost of living. It is common for people to work 2-3 jobs just to break even. Honestly, I don't know how working class families manage (families making less than $150,000 per year). If you have a family, please think long and hard before moving them to the island. I suggest only doing so if you are financially loaded or have a very good job lined up. Otherwise you will be doing your family a great financial disservice.

Everything is more expensive here than most places on the mainland. We have the highest gas and electric rates in the country. Gas for your car is $3.80 per gallon for regular. Food (prices below) is at least 30% more expensive than the US mainland. The only saving grace is the health food store Mana Foods in Paia which is less expensive than many mainland health food stores. It's a great store, 20% -30% cheaper than Down to Earth!!! Another good thing, no heating or cooling bills in many parts of the island.

For better or worse, Maui does have a Walmart, Kmart and Costco which can help you keep costs down. But it's still expensive! Locals joke that Maui is the "palmed prison". Can't afford to live here, can't afford to leave!

Economically, Maui is ideal for the very rich, or for the college age crowd who are here to sow their oats before starting a family, or for single adults. Everyone else should make an honest evaluation of their financial situation and earning ability before making the move. It is very easy for the beauty to seduce and blind you from seeing the harsh economic realities.

Know what you are getting yourself into and make an intelligent decision. I'm in no way saying to not move to Maui, I love it here. I'm just making sure you understand the reality.

Here are some sample food prices, gathered February 2006 at the Kahului Safeway. These are non-sale prices. If you catch the sales and shop at Costco and Mana Foods you can do a little better on certain items.

Dairy Products: Milk = $6 per gallon, Monterey Jack Cheese = $10.50/lb.
Bread: Standard Whole Wheat = $4.69 per loaf.
Vegetables: Green beans = $3.59 /lb., tomato = $4.99 /lb., yellow onions = .99 /lb., red potato = $1.29 /lb., artichoke = $4.50 /lb., asparagus = $5.29 /lb., carrots = $1.29 /lb., mushrooms = $9 /lb., zucchini = $1.99 /lb.
Fruit: Mango = $2.69 /lb., papaya = $1.29/lb., pineapple = .99 /lb., oranges = $1.69 /lb., red delicious apple = $1.79 /lb., grapes = $4.19 /lb.
Meat: Boneless skinless chicken breast = $6.49 /lb., beef rib eye steak = $10.49 /lb., pork loin chop = $5.99 /lb.
Fish: Mahi Mahi = $14.99 /lb., Ahi (fresh tuna) = $12.99 /lb.
Other: Eggs = $3.29 per dozen, coffee = $9.47 /lb.

Rental Price Ranges:
(these are generalities, see the Maui News Classifieds for specifics)

Studio = $800 - $1100 per month
1 Bedroom = $900 - $1500 per month
2 Bedroom = $1400 - $2000 per month
3 Bedroom = $1600 - $2500 per month

Odda Stuff:

Car Insurance: $900 per year for a 2002 Honda Civic, great driving record, rates are higher than the mainland.
Power Bill: $100 per month for one person walking straight and narrow, no AC, add $50 to $80 if you run the AC.
Cable TV: $40 per month for basic cable.
Internet Access: $45 per month for cable (Oceanic - Roadrunner and Earthlink), $29.95 per month for DSL (Hawaiian Tel, only available in some areas), and starting at about $35 per month for wireless broadband (Clear Wire). Nearly every national dialup provider has service on Maui, there are many local ISP's as well.
Phone Service: As of 5-22-06 broadband phone service is only offered by Oceanic, costs $40 per month on top of Roadrunner. Hawaiian Tel is the local land line provider, about $30 per month. Nearly every national cell phone provider has service in Hawaii and costs are about the same as the mainland.

Feel free to ask me for the cost of other things, not sure what else to put in this section.